Sales went up by almost 30 % in the first quarter of 2019, profit after tax doubled

 

·         Sales MEUR 121.1 (+28.6 %), EBIT MEUR 20.2 (+48.9 %), profit after tax MEUR 7.7 (+105.5 %)

·         Operating Cashflow increased from MEUR 7.8 to MEUR 36.8

 

Ternitz, 23. May 2019. Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG (SBO) reports a successful first quarter of 2019. Recovery in the international oil market continued and had a positive effect on SBO‘s earnings. The development in the North American business was flat, albeit at a high level. Overall, SBO was able to grow sales by almost 30 % in the first three months of the year in comparison to the first quarter of 2018, while the operating result (EBIT) increased by around half and profit after tax doubled.

 

CEO Gerald Grohmann: ”The dynamic growth of the international market continued in the first quarter of 2019. We actively exploited this development to grow sales and earnings substantially. In North America, the temporary slowdown of the previous quarter continued. The region looks back on years of strong growth though. Our performance demonstrates that we are positioned excellently in this market situation and can respond very quickly to changes in the various markets."

 

Sales and earnings

 

Bookings received by SBO, which is listed in the leading ATX index of the Vienna Stock Exchange, grew by 5.9 % to MEUR 128.4 (1-3/2018: MEUR 121.2) in the first three months of 2019. Sales arrived at MEUR 121.1, up 28.6 % (1-3/2018: MEUR 94.2). The order backlog at the end of March came to MEUR 107.3 (31 December 2018: MEUR 97.7).

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose strongly from MEUR 25.2 in the first quarter of 2018 to MEUR 32.9 in 2019. The EBITDA margin arrived at 27.2 %, which is above the long-term average of 24.3 %. The operating result (EBIT) went up by 48.9 % to MEUR 20.2 (1-3/2018: MEUR 13.6). SBO‘s profit before tax climbed significantly to MEUR 12.8, compared to MEUR 5.5 in the first quarter of 2018 (+132.2 %). Profit after tax increased by 105.5 % to MEUR 7.7 (1-3/2018: MEUR 3.7). Earnings per share for the first quarter of 2019 were EUR 0.48 (1-3/2018: EUR 0.23). The option to acquire the minority interest of 32.3 % in US subsidiary Downhole Technology LLC was exercised as of 1 April 2019. As communicated to the capital market, SBO had already provided for the expected option price in the balance sheet.

 

CEO Gerald Grohmann: "We were able to benefit from the momentum of the market as we had prepared for it at a very early stage. The positive development of our sales and earnings is attributable to broad-based growth, particularly in the international market. This shows once again that our business structure stands on solid ground and aims at sustainable growth.“

 

Key balance sheet figures and cashflow

 

SBO‘s equity went up to MEUR 385.8 (31 December 2018: MEUR 368.2). SBO‘s equity ratio was 41.2 % (31 December 2018: 40.5 %) and net debt was significantly reduced to MEUR 34.3 (31 December 2018: MEUR 62.5). Liquid funds amounted to MEUR 270.0 (31 December 2018: MEUR 241.5). The operating cashflow clearly developed positively and increased to MEUR 36.8 in the first quarter of 2019 (1-3/2018: MEUR 7.8). Capital expenditure for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (CAPEX) rose to MEUR 10.9 (1-3/2018: MEUR 6.7).

 

Outlook

 

The momentum in the international market remains high. The underinvestment seen in the years of crisis within the oil and gas industry has created pent-up demand that will gradually lead to the launch of new exploration and production projects and a revival of activities in the oilfield service industry. Assumptions are that spending for exploration and production (E&P spending) in 2019 will go up by 4 % globally, with the international market expected to contribute a rise of 7 %.

 

In North America, the strong growth of recent years levelled off. The cost discipline of the exploration and production companies is reflected also in the expected 5 % cutback of E&P spending in 2019.

 

"The trend towards efficiency-enhancing products and measures is going on. The feedback we receive from our customers is positive and our order books are well filled. We expect that the momentum in the international market will continue, provided the global economy develops positively going forward“, says Gerald Grohmann, CEO.

 

SBO is a leading supplier of tools and equipment for directional drilling and well completion applications. The company is the global market leader in the manufacture of high-precision components made of non-magnetic steel. The product offering ranges from complex customized components for the oilfield service industry to a selection of high-efficiency solutions and products for the oil and gas industry. As of 31 March 2019, SBO employed a workforce of 1,548 worldwide (31 December 2018: 1,646), thereof 372 in Ternitz / Austria and 811 in North America (including Mexico).

 

Contact:

 

Andreas Böcskör, Head of Investor Relations

Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG

Tel: +43 2630 315 DW 252, Fax: DW 101

E-Mail: a.boecskoer@sbo.co.at

 

 

SBO's key performance indicators at a glance

 

 

* The headcount decrease from restructuring measures is included.